Systemic lupus erythematosus after thymectomy for myasthenia gravis: a case report and review of the literature

Here, we report a case of systemic lupus erythematosus in a 13-year-old girl who developed the disease 3 years after thymectomy performed for the treatment of myasthenia gravis. The presenting symptoms were fever, generalized fatigability, bilateral loin pain, weight loss, arthralgia, hair loss, and...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical and experimental nephrology 2010-06, Vol.14 (3), p.272-276
Main Authors: Omar, Hyder A., Alzahrani, Mohammed A., Al bshabshe, Ali A. A., Assiri, Alhussain, Shalaby, Medhat, Dwedar, Ahmad, Abdulwahed, Saad Rezk, Hussein, Mahmoud Rezk-Abd-Elwahed
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Case Report
Female
Humans
Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - drug therapy
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - etiology
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Methylprednisolone - therapeutic use
Myasthenia Gravis - surgery
Nephrology
Thymectomy - adverse effects
Urology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Here, we report a case of systemic lupus erythematosus in a 13-year-old girl who developed the disease 3 years after thymectomy performed for the treatment of myasthenia gravis. The presenting symptoms were fever, generalized fatigability, bilateral loin pain, weight loss, arthralgia, hair loss, and recurrent painless mouth ulcers. Laboratory findings revealed proteinuria, hematuria, anemia, leucopenia, a high titer of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-dsDNA, and decreased complement (C3 and C4) levels. There was minimal ascitis and pericardial effusion. Renal biopsy showed lupus nephritis class IV. The diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus was established based on the clinical and laboratory findings. The activity of systemic lupus erythematosus was controlled by pulsed treatment with methyl prednisolone followed by long-term oral glucocorticoid and immunosuppressive therapy. This study highlights the immune system derangement following thymectomy. It also examines the relevant literature.
ISSN:1342-1751
1437-7799
DOI:10.1007/s10157-009-0256-5